© Joe the Real Deal 2026

Hiking Pole “Tips”

Pardon the pun, but here are a couple tips to help get the most out of…
Stop Bugging Me!

You can’t go outdoors without bugs, and, even though they are important in the food web, you…
A.T. – New Jersey

Time for a confession. “I section hiked the Appalachian Trail in 3 1/2 years from 2019…
A.T. – NJ & NY

I returned to High Point State Park in New Jersey, where my Appalachian Trail adventure started,…
A.T. – NY Slackpack

A nice fall slackpack on the Appalachian Trail in New York through Harriman State Park, Bear…
A.T. – NY-CT-MA

Three states in the coldest trip I made on the Appalachian Trail, with 85 miles from…
A.T. – Massachussetts

I slackpacked most of the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts during Covid.
A.T – Vermont

A logistical adventure on the Vermont AT. Plus beer!
A.T. – Crawford Notch to Dartmouth, NH

My first trip to New Hampshire was unforgettable as I squeezed a week of hiking on…
A.T. – Crawford Notch to Caratunk, Maine

Some of the most challenging miles on the Appalachian Trail, including the White Mountains, the Presidential…
A.T. – Mahoosuc Notch

One of the few days that I saw zero people on the Appalachian Trail. I spent…
A.T. – Caratunk to Monson, Maine

A little warmup on the Appalachian Trail before the 100 Mile Wilderness and Mt Katahdin.